A QUIRKY volunteering scheme that aims to clean up a North-East town is going from strength to strength.

The Darlington Pick, Pie and a Pint event began in June 2017 and is organised by Darlington Building Society and Darlington Cares.

Residents who take part in a litter pick are rewarded for their hard work with a free pie and a pint at the town's Hole in the Wall pub.

The scheme has had six meet-ups since it began last year with roughly 300 volunteers taking part. The last event, on May 4, saw more than 75 bags of rubbish collected.

Chelsea Johnson, programme officer for Darlington Cares, said organisers have been pleased with the outcome.

She said: “It’s really taken off. We started last year in June and had four sessions before the end of the year. In those four sessions we had 154 volunteers.

“This year we’ve had one in March, May and an upcoming one in June and for those three we have had another 171 volunteers. People love it.”

Volunteers meet outside the Dolphin Centre before the litter pick and split into teams to cover areas across town including North Lodge, Stanhope Park, Park Place, Victoria Road and the town centre itself.

Each litter pick is sponsored by local businesses in the area such as Darlington Building Society, Sherwoods Darlington, The Northern Echo and Northumbrian Water.

Ms Johnson said part of the scheme’s appeal comes from its instant results.

She said: “With environment projects people can see the difference straight away. The public can come along, pick up the litter, and when they are done they see the area looking clean and tidy again.

“Of course, the pie and pint at the end also helps.”

Pick, Pie and a Pint is hoping to use the litter picks to encourage children to look after the areas where they live by holding a child-friendly litter pick in the summer holidays.

Ms Johnson said: “We have had some kids do it and they have been asking their parents over and over when the next one is.

“It’s all about educating children not to litter in the first place.”

As well as helping the cleanliness of the area, the litter picks support local business such as Hole in the Wall, who supply the pies.

Ms Johnson added: “Hole in the Wall do a big discount for us and they are absolutely fantastic. Not to mention they do the best pies.

“It helps spread the message. It’s nice to get the public involved.”